Monthly forecast of temperature & precipitation trends affecting outdoor furniture sales.
Prepare for colder conditions 10/1/2008
Last fall brought the warmest retail October in 43 years, and 94% of the country trended warmer than the year prior. Precipitation was down 9% nationally, but still trended wetter than average by 16%. The hurricane season remained very quiet with Hurricane Noel the only system during the month. The warm weather in October helped extend the outdoor patio season with shoppers seeking out any rema... More
Expect normal September 09/01/2008
September 2007 was the eighth warmest in 113 years and made a wholesale change from the year prior. Temperatures climbed from September 2006, which was recorded as the 31st coldest in more than 100 years. Last September brought only one brief taste of autumn around mid-month, with a few nights of light frost in the Midwest.
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Expect cool, wet conditions 08/01/2008
Last August was the third warmest in 113 years and marked the third year in a row of warmer than average temperatures. A major heat wave and drought settled over the Southeast from Georgia to Arkansas. Retail industry same-store sales gains beat analysts’ expectations of 2% to 2.5% gains with a gain of +2.
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Sunny days ahead as shoppers seek cool shade, comfort 07/01/2008
Last July was the coldest in three years, with 89% of the nation trending colder than July 2006. The number of hot days over 90 degrees were down 24% nationally versus the prior year, and extremely hot days over 100 degrees were down a significant 60%. The cooler weather and slowing economy produced a more sluggish sales environment for the clearance of patio product and deck categories.
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Count on June warming trend 06/01/2008
Last June brought the month’s coldest temperatures in three years, with 59% of the nation trending colder than the prior year. The weather leading up to the July 4th holiday was very cool in many parts of the nation, and resulted in 108 new record-low temperatures being set. Rainfall was excessive across the South Central states and Florida, where many places saw more than 2 feet of rain.
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Cool, wet challenges for May 05/01/2008
Last May was the warmest since 2004, due in large part to the exceptionally warm weather during the week prior to Mother’s Day. Some sales gains for outdoor living categories were up in the 10% to 20% range early in the month, but those gains were given back with the weak Memorial Day. The holiday brought the month’s worst weather, trending 2.
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Spring into early April sales 04/01/2008
Last year, the month of April started out with very cold temperatures spreading southward. Freezing temperatures were common as far south as northern Florida, and snow was flying across the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic region and parts of the Northeast. To make matters worse, the month turned out to be very wet as well.
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March brings wet, rainy conditions 03/01/2008
March 2007 was the warmest in three years and ranked as the second warmest in 113 years of national records. During the month, 79% of the nation trended warmer than the year before. Only New England missed out on the warmth as Old Man Winter kept his grip on the region with plenty of snow and cold temperatures.
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As the markets continue to swing and the future of our economy remains uncertain, people are reacting in very different ways. W ...
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Outside Views Marcia Blake, Founder and President, Outdoor Interiors Inc November 3, 2008 Marketing Tips for This Time of Year
WARM UP AROUND AN OUTDOOR FIRE
Setting the clocks back is a sure sign that fall is... More
Design Debuts This photo gallery highlights seasonal product introductions. Send new product images and information to cmueller@reedbusiness.com for placement consideration in our print edition as well as the Web.
Fashion Show 2008 Casual Living, along with the ICFA and MMPI, held a fashion show during the Apollo Awards. Sponsors included Glen Raven/Sunbrella, Ardwyn Decorative Trim Products, Altizer, Cone, DuraCord, Outdura/Shuford Mills, Stroup Outdoor Fabrics and Twitchell.
Outdoor Living Booth - HPBExpo 2008 Sponsors included Telescope Casual, Outdoor Leisure, Sunbrella, In & Out Cabinetry, Sawgrass Mills Outdoor Rugs, Tervis Tumbler, Imax and Trees Int'l. For details on getting involved in 2009, contact Norman Hamilton at 336-605-3790.
Join Casual Living for a video tour of showrooms and new products at the recent International Casual Furniture Association's Pre-Market at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Click here for more details.
EVENTS
Showtime
12/7/2008 - 12/10/2008
Various Market Buildings, High Point, N.C.
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